Ask The Developers

[PublicExecution]

I have found no way whatsoever to reduce contraband, I have 300+ pieces while I'm doing a shakedown a lot of the time, it never really seems to go down, even with dogs and metal detectors all over the prison. Tunnels are another issue, the dogs detect them, a flag is placed, I'll do a shakedown and the guards won't find it, and I have to wait for a prisoner to escape to find the tunnel. Anyone got any tips on what I can do differently/better?

[Skierky]

You can increase patrols for the dogs. If you see the same area flagged again than it is a good indication of a tunnel. You can also do a shakedown of a specific cell block versus the whole prison to save time and effort. Every once in awhile I have to search the cell block a second time if I know there's a tunnel and it wasn't detected the first time. I closed my workshop because of wooden pickaxes and while my overall contraband numbers are high, the supply for tools is always 0 because it always gets caught leaving the kitchen or coming into deliveries

[D11_Nat]

It's an interesting question- contraband will never go down unless you cut off access to it altogether, which of course means cutting off access to certain rooms and amenities. The reality is that contraband will stay high but regular shakedowns and searches will keep the numbers steady and somewhat manageable.

Shakedowns also aren't totally successful. They have a success rate somewhere above 50% (can't remember the actual number), to reflect human error. There's every chance that a guard performing a shakedown simply won't notice a tunnel even a couple of searches in a row. That's just how it rolls!

Nat D11

[Skierky]

How can you work at controlling demand? I see that it fluctuates so there has to be something that lowers it

[D11_Nat]

It depends what sort of contraband. Weapons are in higher damand if the prison is more violent, drugs and alcohol demand is higher if you don't have addiction programs in place, tool demand is higher if prisoners want to escape (like if they have high family needs). You need to figure out what they're demanding and then what needs you can address to reduce that!

Nat D11

[Skierky]

I typically only have the minor incident of someone punching a shower head every once in awhile but the weapon demand still doesn't go down. Even with several days of no incidents. As for drugs, I have programs in place and I think only about 40 of my 750 inmates actually have an addiction. I added some phones to the canteen so hopefully that helps

[UrbanPlayground]

I know you have been asked this before about a million times, but please tell me you guys have plans on making an escape mode for consoles. I just bought the full game on Xbox one and love this game, but watching pc players play escape mode makes me want to have it even more. This is just my opinion, but having an escape mode on consoles may urge people to want to buy it even more. It's one thing to be able to create your own prison, but to be able to try and escape it to is just pure genius. I really hope you guys look into this more. Ive read the article on "why no escape mode", I simply just want to know if you guys are actually going to pursue adding this feature considering how much demand there is for it.

[D11_Nat]

The blog post is the most up to date information I'm afraid, sorry

Nat D11

[barticle]

I also think a gang reform program would be neat to give them a chance to get out of the life and then move them to protective custody if they are successful.

That is a cool idea - but we'd also need a new room and long-term programme for laser tattoo removal!

[jwl1958]

How do you send a individual prisoner to a cell in ps4 and how do u send off prisoners?

[Skierky]

You can't choose which cells prisoners go to and what do you mean send off prisoners?

[SavageNickel]

Will the console version of Prison Architect have escape mode any time soon?

[D11_Nat]

All explained here, @SavageNickel

https://prisonarchitect.double11.com/headlines/why-no-escape-mode/

[fourtwentytied]

Where do the prisoners get the decoy basketball they use when digging to freedom? Can we ever expect a basketball court? Also great new suggestions I've not seen yet, Family homes(conjugal visit) for the best inmates to life in small building with his family, of course there must be rent that has to be paid, so they will need a job.

[Tommyzoom13]

Hi when will the next update will be out for Xbox one ? And what will it included?

[barticle]

Where do the prisoners get the decoy basketball they use when digging to freedom?

I think it's assumed that the dummy heads are improvised from paper and other materials available.

Here's the inspiration! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_1962_Alcatraz_escape#Escape

If you have the DLC you'll find Frank Morris in the Prison Warden mode jail The Rock.

[Skierky]

@d11_nat

Can we add to the policy tab to where you can choose when an inmate automatically upgrades security levels? I prefer to have inmates that commit murder while incarcerated be upgraded to supermax and not maximum

[D11_Nat]

There'll be one within the next few weeks but no date announced.

The update will just have additional Name In The Game intakes and bug fixes. I'm 99% sure there will be no additional content.

Nat D11

[Tommyzoom13]

Hi when will there be an update which there will be some new content into the Xbox one edition of the game?

I also are thank full with getting intouch with me about my last question.

Tom

[barticle]

I'm sure a lot of people would be happy to pay a couple of quid for a cosmetics pack with relatively low development costs. New objects with the same effects as previous ones, new decorative objects for indoors and outdoors, new floorings, etc. Things like carpets, actual kennels, vending machines with shop effects, chess boards, table tennis and gardens (jobs and food source). Maybe a few fun or handy features borrowed from the more popular PC mods.

I know you want this one, Nat.

http://twinfinite.net/2015/10/the-10-best-prison-architect-mods-you-need-to-play-with/19/